Electronic Manufacturing Application

Case Overview

One customer is doing IT device manufacturing. They process SMT and assemble products with an information collection system called Shop Floor Control System(SFCS), SFCS is on-line computer application system that integrates all relevant real-time information along every step in a manufacturing process. The functions of SFCS include data collection, WIP (work in process) tracking, material management, inventory management, exception management, and quality management etc. IT manufacturing has the following characteristics: a large variety of products, and short product life cycle. Therefore, SFCS is very essential to let IT manufacturing vendors collect real-time production line information, supporting manufacturing decision making, and increasing manufacturing efficiency. Originally, customer used local PC embedded with multi-port serial board (as a station) to connect with several barcode readers. After reading data, the station will send it to host PC for data processing. New problems came when more stations were added,1. Slots on the PC limited the number of multi-port serial board that could be added. 2. PC is not a “compact” equipment for ease-of-installation. 3. S/W upgraded to each PC is not convenient and user friendly.

System Requirement

1. A serial-to-Ethernet server is needed to connect with bar code readers and upload the data to host PC over TCP/IP protocol. The local PC was to be eliminated. 3. Serial Server must be reliable for long-time operation, and compliant with industrial standards.4. Serial server must be compact size for ease-of-installation. In addition, ease-of-use for operators is necessary as well.5. No need to modify existing application software of host PC for new system.